Pushkar Navmansh

Brihaspati, The Myth of Pushkara and the Pushkara Navamsha

Part One

Pushkara navamshas are special navamshas that enhance the quality of the
planet. Pushkara bhagas are special degrees, which bring good luck and
auspicious energy to the chart. Push means to nourish and kara means who
does or what causes. So pushkara navamsha nourishes the quality of the
planet placed within it. This can take the quality of the planet from ordinary
to extra-ordinary. Pushkara are not given in many texts. They form the secret
part of Vedic astrology in which when you dig deep, you come up with gems of
analysis. The secret part was essential to give serious astrologers insight where
the amateurs could fail. Chandra Kala Nadi, Jataka Parijata have a few
shlokas that mention them. Their importance is understood through
understanding the myth of pushkara and its relationship with the creator
Brahma and Brihaspati (Jupiter).
Myth of Pushkara
After a prolonged penance a Brahmin called Tundila was granted a boon that
he would remain permanently with Shiva in form of Jalamayatva Siddhi.
Shiva has eight forms and one of them is Jalamayatva Siddhi, the ability to
live in water. Tundila became known as Pushkara, the one who nourishes the
world as this penance gave him the power to purify all the holy rivers for the
benefit for all.
Brahma wanted water for creation and Pushkaras ability to purify it. He
pleaded with Shiva to allow Pushkara to live in his kamandal (the water pot
that Brahma keeps by his side). Shiv granted this request. Brihaspati (Jupiter)
asked Brahma that Pushkara should be with him, as water was essential for
mankind and Pushkaras ability to purify unique. Pushkara refused, as he did
not want to leave Brahma.
Brahma resolved the situation by asking Pushkara to stay with Brihaspati for
12 days when the latter was entering a new Rashi and 12 days when he was
leaving it. On a daily basis, Pushkara would stay with Brihaspati for a length
of two Muhurta (48 minutes is one muhurta) in the afternoon. Brahma,
accompanied by all the other gods, would go with Pushkara to the holy river
being blessed. Thus, Pushkara could be with Brahma as well as with
Brihaspati at the same time. Brihaspati stays in one rashi for a year and takes
12 years to complete one cycle of the Zodiac. When Brihaspati comes into a
Rashi then the Pushkara would be with him in the first 12 days (Aadi
Pushkara) and the last 12 days (Antya Pushkara) as Brihaspati exits the rashi.
When people bathe in a holy river at the time of Pushkaram, they take the
blessings of Jupiter into the next twelve-year cycle of Brihaspati.
The twelve main rivers were blessed by Pushkara and purified once every
twelve years. Pushkaram signifies the entry of Pushkara into the river water
along with all gods and goddesses, which makes the water of that river pure
for another 12 years. The entire year is considered holy to have the dip
because earthly one-year amounts to only one divine day. During Pushkaram,
the old sins can be washed away and the souls leave the water purified. People
also pay homage to their departed ancestors during this time as well. All can
experience the blessings of Pushkara twice a day when the pushkara muhurta
is on by taking a dip the holy waters.
The temple town of Pushkar in Rajasthan is blessed, as its lake is the living
kamandal of Brahma. There is a rare Brahma temple there as well. This is
one of the holiest place and people throng there to find absolution for negative
past karma.
Daily there are two Pushkaram when the holy waters get energized with the
godly presence and these are the special times to take a dip in the holy waters
as they are specially energized and purified. All the gods are residing with
Brahma to give their blessing to the aspirants.
Brihaspati ( Jupiter) transits and Pushkara of the Holy Rivers
There are twelve holy rivers in ancient India and these rivers are not always
easy to trace in the present times. The rivers blessed by Pushkar during
Brihaspati Rashi transits are
Rashi
River
Mesha
Ganga
Vrishibha
Rewa
Mithuna
Saraswati
Kartaka
Yamuna
Simha
Godavari
Kanya
Krishnaveni
Tula
Kaveri
Vrishchika
Bhima
Dhanus
Pushkaravahini
Makara
Tungabhadra
Kumbha
Indus
Mina
Parineeta
As Jupiter goes into Vrishchika ( Scorpio) on 28 october 2006, he will be
blessing Bhima river. Bhima river rises near Pune in the western ghats near
an ancient shiva temple known as Bhimashankar. Bhima Shankar is one of
the twelve jyotirlingas of Shiva. this is where Shiva killed the demon
Tripurantikari. The Bhima flows through the states of Maharashtra and
karnataka into Krishna river, blessing its people. The major shrines on the
banks of Bhima will hold festivals to welcome the pushkara of its river. All the
major gods will visit the river along with Pushkara and cleanse the river and
its people.
Pushkara Bhaga, Navamsha and the Myth
There are two pushkara bhagas/navamshas in each sign. This reflects the fact
that there are two Pushkara muhurta daily in the afternoon. Two degrees
became highly beneficial during each month. A muhurta is 48 minutes, the
start of the muhurta would represent the Bhaga/degree as duration of it the
navamsha. The navamsha and the bhaga do not always coincide. I do not have
any answers for it as yet. How the exact daily calculation is done, I am still not
aware of but will keep on researching and keep you all posted. In all these
would make 24 positions within the solar year (360 Zodiac). These positions
have been transposed into the natal chart to show degrees or navamshas,
which become special placement for the planets. The planets in these positions
take a virtual dip in the holy waters and regardless of their previous karma or
weaknesses they have the ability to get redeemed and be strengthened.
While humans can get rid of their sins by taking a dip in the holy waters
during Pushkaram, the planets in the natal chart gets similarly blessed and
lose all their negative qualities. What is important to remember is that the
individuals in whose chart where the lagna or planets in the pushkara
navamshas and bhagas should want to make the changes, to find the blessings.
Otherwise these positions can just remain unrealized blessings. Brihaspati
(Jupiter) has a special relationship with Pushkara and its position in Pushkara
is especially beneficial.
The rishis and spiritualist wait for pushkara time to rise before they take a
dip in the holy waters, similarly we can get the same blessings by choosing a
pushkara lagna rising in our muhurta.
Note: Part two of this article on Pushkara Navamsha and Bhaga will be
published in November 2006.

Part2

Pushkara navamshas are special navamshas that enhance the quality of the
planet. Pushkara bhagas are special degrees, which bring good luck and
auspicious energy to the chart. Push means to nourish and kara means who
does or what causes. So pushkara navamsha nourishes the quality of the
planet placed within it. This can take the quality of the planet from ordinary
to extra-ordinary. Pushkara are not given in many texts. They form the secret
part of Vedic astrology in which when you dig deep; you come up with gems
of analysis. The secret part was essential to give serious astrologers insight
where the amateurs could fail. Chandra Kala Nadi, Jataka Parijata have a
few shlokas that mention them. I read about Pushkara in C S Patels book
Navamsha and Nadi Astrology, Jataka Parijata and Chandra Kala Nadi, but
the final analysis is my own research and experience.
Pushkara navamshas are special navamshas that enhance the quality of the
planet. Pushkara bhagas are special degrees, which bring good luck and
auspicious energy to the chart. Push means to nourish and kara means who
does or what causes. So pushkara navamsha nourishes the quality of the
planet placed within it. This can take the quality of the planet from ordinary
to extra-ordinary. Pushkara are not given in many texts. They form the secret
part of Vedic astrology in which when you dig deep; you come up with gems
of analysis. The secret part was essential to give serious astrologers insight
where the amateurs could fail. Chandra Kala Nadi, Jataka Parijata have a
few shlokas that mention them. I read about Pushkara in C S Patels book
Navamsha and Nadi Astrology, Jataka Parijata and Chandra Kala Nadi, but
the final analysis is my own research and experience.
Pushkara Navamsha
Navamsha is the most important varga. Planet positions in their navamsha
finally decide whether they are strong or weak in the chart. Do they feel
supported or not. Therefore Pushkara navamshas become very important.
They are specific areas in charts that nourish which give planets the capacity
to heal and regenerate themselves. This special navamsha allow the
personality to flourish. Regardless of the situation of the planet, its qualities
become replenished. It is always the navamsha ruled by the same signs within
the same elements that become pushkara. Study the table below for further
clarification.
Pushkara navamsha table by signs and elements
Elements
Signs
pushkara degrees
Pushkara navamsha
Fire- Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
20 deg to 23 deg20
Libra
26 deg to 30 deg 00
Sagittarius
Earth- Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
06 deg40 to 10 deg 00
Pisces
13 deg 20 to 16 deg 40
Taurus
Air- Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
16 deg 40 to 20 deg 00
Pisces
23 deg 20 to 26 deg 40
Taurus
Water- Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
00 deg 00to 03 deg 20
Cancer
06 deg 40 to 10 deg 00
Virgo
While there are two Pushkara in each sign, they do not fall in Aries, Gemini,
Leo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Aquarius navamshas. These navamshas can be
taken as points of personal development, where individual learns from their
own mistakes. Aries, Gemini, Leo and Aquarius are male signs and their
navamsha may use up all the energy available to them not try to regenerate
the planetary qualities. Scorpio and Capricorn are female signs but these are
complex areas within signs. Scorpio creates sudden transformation and
Capricorn makes planet feel very burdened, even if they are well placed. As
Capricorn makes us face up to our karmic responsibilities and therefore we
are not able to nurture the soul.If planets are placed in these navamshas, it
should not be taken as minus points. What needs to be understood that these
planets have to be self-motivated, their job in this life uses up some of the
positive energy saved from previous lives, and therefore pushkara does not
nourish them. That may not be negative, just the way life is. Not everything
can be saved up or nurtured. But by being aware of these qualities, we can
make sure that we learn to nourish them through our actions.
Pushkara navamsha can be classified through nakshatras padas as follows
Ketu Nakshatras (Ashwini, Magha, and Mula) do not have any pushkara
navamsha.
3rd pada (Libra) of Venus nakshatras- Bharani, Purva Phalguni, Purva
Ashadha
1st pada, Sagittarius and 4th pada, Pisces of Sun nakshatras- Krittika, Uttara
Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha
2nd pada Taurus of Moon nakshatras- Rohini, Hasta, Shravana
Mars (Mrigasira, Chitra, and Dhanishta) do not have any pushkara
navamsha.
4th pada Pisces of Rahu nakshatra- Ardra, Swati and Shatabhishak
2nd pada (Taurus) and 4th pada (Cancer) of Jupiter nakshatras- Punarvasu,
Vishakha, Purva Bhadra
2nd pada (Virgo) of Saturn nakshatra- Pushya, Anuradha, Uttara
BhadraMercury (Ashlesha, Jyeshta, and Revati) do not have any pushkara
navamsha.
Ketu nakshatra are beginning stages for the development for the soul. These
stages can be very intense and therefore personal effort and the struggle of the
soul to live a material life is there. In Ketu nakshatras, the soul is taking a new
step in its development, so it uses up some of its accumulated nourishment. So
while they are aspiring for moksha, their very action depletes their collected
good karma and planets find it difficult to find nourishment in these
circumstances. That does not make it wrong or bring weakness but pushkara
cannot thrive. The soul cannot change the situation and in its pursuit for the
next level of development, they have to use up some of their equity. It is like
taking a loan for present development, which will bring future rewards. But
the present will make them feel burdened.
Ketu nakshatra are beginning stages for the development for the soul. These
stages can be very intense and therefore personal effort and the struggle of the
soul to live a material life is there. In Ketu nakshatras, the soul is taking a new
step in its development, so it uses up some of its accumulated nourishment. So
while they are aspiring for moksha, their very action depletes their collected
good karma and planets find it difficult to find nourishment in these
circumstances. That does not make it wrong or bring weakness but pushkara
cannot thrive. The soul cannot change the situation and in its pursuit for the
next level of development, they have to use up some of their equity. It is like
taking a loan for present development, which will bring future rewards. But
the present will make them feel burdened.
Mercury nakshatras are areas of transformation where the debris of all souls
negativity gets collected, the soul struggles to make the changes, the mind is
active trying to make sense of their circumstances. The planets struggle to
transcend, therefore there is no calmness and stillness provided by Pushkara.
Planets use up their energy and do not always feel nourished.
The pushkara navamshas throw up some interesting points. The rulerships of
the navamshas are by benefic planets. Jupiter and Venus ruler nine pushkara
each, one in fire, earth and air elements, whereas Moon and Mercury rule one
each in Water elements. Water signs are known as moksha houses as well.
Moksha houses are about self-realisation and the rulership of Moon and
Mercury- the two planets of the mind should that we have to nourish our
mind before we can aspire to realise ourselves. Another way of looking at it is
that a nourished and quiet mind helps us to go towards self-realization.
The planets that are not placed in pushkara need to be energized, as they do
not have the capacity to nourish themselves.
Pushkara Bhaga
Pushkara bhaga are specific degrees where planets become especially
auspicious to do good. The exact degree is becomes very powerful agent for
being positive, whereas the navamsha is still powerful but not as intense as the
degree. Pushkara degrees are used for Muhurta. Choosing the muhurta lagna
on a pushkara bhaga makes that a very auspicious moment.
Jataka Parijata- Adhyaya 1 Shloka 58 gives the following degrees:
21 Aries (Libra Navamsha) 19 Leo (Virgo navamsha) 23 Sagittarius (Libra
Navamsha) These three in Venus nakshatras and Fire signs

14 Taurus (Taurus navamsha and vargotamma- Moon nakshatra),9 Virgo

(Pisces navamsha- Sun nakshatra), 14 Capricorn (Taurus Navamsha- Moon
nakshatra)Above Three in Earth signs

18 Gemini (Pisces navamsha- Rahu nakshatra),24 Libra (Taurus Navamsha-

Jupiter nakshatra), 19 Aquarius (Pisces Navamsha- Rahu nakshatra)Above
three in Air signs

8 Cancer (Virgo Navamsha) 11 Scorpio (Libra Navamsha), 9 Pisces (Virgo

Navamsha)Above three in Saturn nakshatras and Water signs
Pushkara degrees given by CS Patel in his book Nadi and Navamsha astrology
are:21 of Fire signs: 21 Aries, 21 Leo, and 21 Sagittarius (Venus
nakshatras)14 in Earth signs: 14 Taurus, 14 Virgo, and 14 Capricorn
(Moon nakshatras)24 in Air signs: 24 Gemini, 24 Libra, and 24 Aquarius
(Jupiter Nakshatras)7 in Water signs: 7 Cancer, 7 Scorpio, 7 Pisces
(Saturn nakshatras)
According to the CS Patel, Bhagas are not found in Ketu, Sun, Mars, Rahu
and Mercury nakshatras while Jataka Parijata has pushkara bhaga in Rahu
and Sun nakshatras but not in Ketu, Mars and Mercury nakshatras.
Mostly the Jataka Parijata pushkara bhaga degrees are used. I am also using
Jataka Parijata bhagas as it gives these actual degrees in the text. Plus it
resonates with my research.
I have been infomred by one of his students that CS Pate'ls information is
from Purva Kalamrita. Do research both sets of degrees and come up with
your own conclusions.
How to use Pushkara Bhaga and Navamsha.
Jataka Parijata says that pushkara should be used in muhurta, natal and any
other factor under consideration. Other factors under consideration are in
prashna and maybe relationship compatibility.
Muhurta: There are 24 pushkara navamsha and 12 pushkara therefore every
hour a pushkara navamsha rises and every two hours a pushkara degree rises.
Therefore when you need to find an auspicious time in a hurry, you can chose
a pushkara navamsha or a pushkara degree. Some degrees reflect both the
navamsha and degree of pushkara. In Taurus, the pushkara navamsha and
the degree are vargotamma; therefore that particular position is extremely
strong. Generally when planning a muhurta, it would be good to choose a
pushkara degree or navamsha rising. This protects the chart and gives it a
benefic quality. To have the benefic planets, lagna lord, 9th lord, 5th lord as
well as the lord of the house for which you are performing the muhurta (10th
career, 4th- home) to be in pushkara navamsha will further fortify the chart.

Natal: Remember pushkara is added on knowledge. You should analyse the

chart by all traditional methods and then study the chart to see whether any
planets are placed in pushkara bhaga or navamsha. If a chart does not appear
to have any great strength but it has ascendant in pushkara bhaga and 10th
lord in pushkara degree, the quality of the is chart changes and your analysis
will be different. The chart is showing extra ordinary strength with both the
lagna and 10th lord fortifies. Pushkara will bring strength to the chart,
nourish it after it has used up some of its energy. The individual may not
immediately gain the strength, but is guided through these auspicious degrees
to work with their issues, accept them and learn to overcome them.
Planet in an exact degree is stronger than the bhaga so the quality will be
more intense. If you have Sun exalted in 21 Aries, it is in pushkara navamsha
and bhaga. But this is also the debilitated navamsha of the Sun. Sun
debilitated by navamsha shows hidden lack of confidence, need for support of
others, and low self esteem. The weakness indicated by the Sun in its
debilitated navamsha is being over-ridden by the fact that the Sun is pushkara
both in navamsha and bhaga. Therefore an individual may experience some
weaknesses of this debilitation, but they are quickly able to overcome it and
make the Sun, its karakas, house rulerships etc positive. Low esteem will be
there but the person learn confidence, pushkara will make them feel strong
instead of weak.
All texts say lagna, lagna lord, and 10th lords in Pushkara gives great strength
and good luck to the birth chart. In my experience, the more planets in
pushkara, the stronger the chart. The lagna is a pushkara degree or
navamsha brings fortune and success. If the lord of a house is placed in
pushkara or the bhava Madhya of the house is placed in pushkara, this
strengthens it and makes it a force to do good. Pushkara imparts sweetness to
the chart that brings in higher qualities of goodness, spiritual aspirations and
material success as.
Those who have their rajayoga karaka in pushkara or their yogas taking
place in pushkara, they are specially blessed. This enhances an already strong
position to something sublime.
The experience of pushkara is during their dashas. If the dasha lord is in
pushkara or the lord of bhava Madhya that are pushkara, it will give special
results in relationship to its significations.
Also watch when planets go into their pushkara positions by transit. In June
2005, many planets, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, Mars, Saturn, Sun while as I
write this article (23 July2005) only Saturn and Sun are pushkara in 6
Cancer. But Saturn is combust and Saturn is spoiling Sun. Therefore the
ability of these planets to do good is limited. But their being in pushkara
position, it suggests that despite their limitations and the pain that this
conjunction has generated is there, but also there is hope and capacity for
improvement.
Prashna: If the prashna ascendant falls in pushkara or the karaka falls in
pushkara, there will be a good ending. Lets suppose the question was about
buying a new home. 4th lord is Mercury and is placed in the 8th house in
Taurus navamsha in Libra. The immediate answer would be that there is
difficulty in buying the house. But this is a pushkara navamsha; therefore
there are some underlying factors that will make this negative aspect positive.
It may be that not buying the house saved you from a big loss or there may be
a better property ahead so not buying this property will be for your good in
the long run.

Relationships: if Venus, the karaka of relationships is placed in 14 Virgo.

Now Venus in Virgo would usually create problems with relationships but the
pushkara aspect will nourish Venus, make it feel supported and that would
have good effect for relationships.Your lagna lord is pushkara in your
partners chart or vice versa means that you have the ability to nourish your
partners. The karakas Venus and Jupiter in pushkara degrees help make
partnerships good. If a woman has Jupiter in pushkara, then she will
experience good partners and children. A pushkara Venus gives nourishing
relationships
Pushkar Amsha: Evolution of the best of The Planet

Planet happening to be in a Pushkar Amsha (degree) gives rise to the best of

its good and boosts up the chart as a whole. The Pushkar Amshas are ascribed
as follows:
In 1,5,9 rashis- the 21 st degree;
In 2,6,10 rashis- the 14 th degree;
In 3,7,11 rashis- the 24 th degree;
In 4,8,12 rashis- the 07 th degree.
Lagna falling in Pushkar Amsha strengthens the chart and curtails bad
effect sustained otherwise.
Any planet, even if in neecha or combust, turns highly fructified.
Therefore, Saturn in Mesha at 21, Venus in Kanya at 14, Sun in Tula at
24, Moon in Vrishchika at 07 and Mercury in Meena at 07 not only hides
its malefic effect, but also disburses benevolent result.
When the above-mentioned planets, according to the Parashari rule, are
Kaaraka for the chart, manifest the utmost benevolence .
This should not be mistaken for Pushkar Navamsha.